Page 9

SCARLET HUNGER

The Dagger

A giggle escapes me when I giddily enter the apartment, skipping to where I know she’s sleeping. The man behind me enters too, more quietly and stealthily than I, but I just can’t help my excitement.

Most of all, I need to feel her under me. Her soft skin. Plump lips. Sweet like an angel. Beautiful wavy hair, unlike my naturally straight hair.

Whereas I’m the devil in disguise, she’s an angel hiding behind deprivation.

“You gotta be quieter!” Vernon hisses under his breath, eyes the shade of mine narrowing into slits as he looks at me.

I only cast him a wink, continuing down the empty hallway. It’s not like she will hear me. She always slept so deeply, just like the Sleeping Beauty.

I can practically hear Vernon roll his eyes at me, arms crossing over his broad chest, but I couldn’t care less. I haven’t felt this free in a long time, as if I have the world at my fingertips, able to do exactly everything I want.

Including breaking into her apartment at night when she’s sound asleep.

Taking in the sight of her space through the little light provided by a burning candelabra, a smile ghosts my lips.

An unusual feeling after so long. There’s a small velvet couch against the wall, along with a wooden table before it, a bowl of unfinished cereals ruining the clean atmosphere.

I tsk at the fact that she had cereal for dinner, and make my way to the bowl to pick it up.

I feel Vernon’s gaze silently judging me as I start handwashing the bowl in the kitchen, putting it up to dry.

When I turn around, he cocks an eyebrow, but I only shrug my shoulders.

“Gotta take care of the little traitor, even when she doesn’t deserve it,” I tell him in a normal volume.

He doesn’t reply, and we make our way through the kitchen, posing as a living room as well, onto the only other room in the apartment, except for the smaller bathroom. The bedroom door is closed shut, and I push it open, careful not to make a noise.

Excitement bubbles up inside me, producing endorphins like an addiction as I slip into the room, sticking to the shadows. Blending in is my forte, after all this time.

I tiptoe over to the smaller form lying huddled in bed, her blonde hair sprawled over the pillow beside her, sleeping peacefully.

A sliver of moonlight comes through the curtains, and I lean down, inhaling the scent of her hair.

Something fruity tinged with lavender that takes over the tones of the fragrance.

A deep flutter settles in my stomach at the scent of her.

She smells just the same. I trail her arm using my fingertips, feeling the goosebumps littering her skin even in sleep.

Gliding over to her bra, I unclip it. Her beautiful breasts bounce as I pull them free, and the sudden urge to tug on her nipples sends a searing heat between my legs.

I know I’m fucking wet for her.

Breathing harshly, I attempt to keep my composure. I can’t wake her. It’s not time for us to reunite yet.

I stare at her perky nipples, unable to help myself, and squeeze them lightly. A soft moan escapes her as she moves in her sleep, and the triumph spreads through me. Arousal washes over me, and I want to take her right fucking now. No distractions.

I want her to be mine, all the while punishing her for betraying us.

It’s so dark in the room, I’m barely able to see anything.

I feel my way forward, fingers hooking into her panties while casually spreading her legs.

A shaky breath escapes me when I reach the apex of her thigh, fingers right there .

My thumb slowly circles her clit, and I feel her thrusting her hips forward. Softly. Craving more.

A smirk takes over my lips as I continue, short puffs of air escaping her lips.

Fuck, I wish I could take her right here, right now, claiming her before my twin brother has the chance to. Marking her as mine first.

If only she were awake, I’d tell her how beautiful she is. Made for me until the end of days. Her death is mine, her soul is mine. Everything of hers belongs to me.

I feel my twin closing in on me from behind, his breath ragged as he stares at the little traitor. It’s obvious he’s affected by her in the same way I am.

She has us wrapped around her finger, even after all these years.

He makes his way to us, and I hear him leaning closer. From the way soft moans continue to escape her, I know he’s doing something to her.

But then, something else moves beside her in the darkness. Sheets rustling, snores beginning. He pulls away, silence descending.

Using the flashlight on his phone, he shines it on the bed, where I expect to see only her .

Anger twists my features as I spot another form, lying half-naked, back turned to her.

Jaw clenching, nails pressing into my palms, a murderous rage overwhelms me.

Fucking Casper.

The obsessive anger takes over like rot beneath the skin. My brother catches my eye. He’s just as mad.

Then, Vernon’s light catches something else. Blue and purple bruises litter her throat, ringed like fingertips. Rage seethes through me, thick as spilled ink.

I can’t wait to end that bastard, so-called boyfriend of hers.

How dare he claim he wants her dead and then sleep right beside her?

No, she’s ours to claim. Ours to hate, kill, and make bleed. Ours to fucking possess.

Just like we’ve ended everyone who’s touched her, like that fucking journalist at the crime scene, we will kill him.

And once again, she’s with him when she belongs to us.

A traitor, through and through.

We swiftly exit the apartment, and I make sure to leave our next final gift.

Another letter, for her.